Archive for the 'Phil Collen' Tag Under 'Soundcheck' Category

September 11th, 2011, 5:52 pm by GEORGE A. PAUL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Art Alexakis stood onstage Saturday during Jack's 6th Show at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater and gave props to other acts on the bill. Then Everclear's frontman stated what could easily serve as the retro radio station's new slogan: “Doesn't matter whether it's from the '70s, '80s or '90s -- if the music rocks, it rocks.” That might be a wiser choice. Although Jack FM/93.1 still uses its original catchphrase “playing what we want” and shuffles between alternative, rock, pop and rap crossover genres, if you listen long enough you'll eventually hear some of the same songs repeated.

Besides Everclear, Saturday's eight-hour concert in Irvine featured headliner Def Leppard, Heart, Dramarama, Marcy Playground, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Evan Watson, M80s and Metal Shop, although unlike in previous years, most of the roster was relegated to the side stage, near the main concourse entrance. Def Leppard and Heart – who are currently touring together and just played Gibson Amphitheatre – had dibs on the main stage.

Yet Def Leppard was hampered by a muddy, bass-heavy mix that tended to overwhelm their trademark group vocal chants, though that didn't stop enthusiastic reactions from the large party-hearty audience.

Brawny anthem “Undefeated” kicked off an otherwise engaging 90-minute set, as images of Muhammad Ali, Nelson Mandela, Michael Phelps and other inspirational figures appeared on large LED screens and stairs. It's one of three solid new studio tracks on the British hard-rock band's three-disc Mirror Ball – Live & More collection, available exclusively at Walmart (fans should also check out the brilliant Queen-styled “Kings of the World”).

Disc 2 of that set basically follows what transpired in O.C., so the song order hasn't changed much since the last tour. Smoky-voiced singer Joe Elliott even prompts a California crowd at one point on Mirror Ball; he did a decent vocal job throughout this Jack gig, despite avoiding some high notes.